CHAPTER 52: The Sunflower Dance

While the others sat together giggling and eating, Xuanye quietly entered the practice room. She peeked through the door and saw Minghao dancing under the golden light. His figure was glowing, moving gracefully — as if the room itself was enchanted.

As Minghao swirled and turned around, he noticed her.

"Ye~ what are you doing here?" he asked in surprise, chuckling.

Xuanye stepped in, hiding the flower behind her back. She walked up to him with a smile.

"I came to see you, Flutterhao. Our exams are over… so I might not get to see you every day anymore."

Minghao blushed slightly, his eyes falling to her hidden hands.

"What are you hiding?" he teased.

"Just close your eyes," she said with a playful grin. "It's a time bomb!"

He laughed and obeyed, eyes closed in mock suspense.

Xuanye smiled and slowly lifted the flower up. "Okay~ open them!"

Minghao peeked and blinked in surprise.

"A sunflower? For me?"

She sighed. "Hao... you're so clueless."

"Why?" he asked with a grin.

"Look closely," she said, bringing the flower near his face and guiding him to the mirror. "Doesn't this flower remind you of someone?"

Minghao tilted his head, trying to see what she meant, but his expression remained confused. Xuanye laughed and gave up.

"This sunflower is you, Flutterhao," she said softly.

His eyes widened as he looked at her, touched.

"Look at the petals — they're sharp yet soft, just like your eyes. The center? That calm, shining part… that's like your gaze. And the overall brightness? That's your smile."

Minghao continued to gaze at her as if seeing her for the first time.

"This flower even haunted me during exams," she said, chuckling. "I couldn't stop seeing your face in it."

Still stunned, he placed a shaky hand gently on her cheek.

"Ye~ I didn't know I haunted you like that," he teased softly.

She grinned. "It was a sweet haunt."

Minghao carefully took the flower from her. "Even though I'm not great with words… this really touched me. You portrayed me as a flower, Ye." He blushed, shy yet sincere.

Xuanye puffed her chest in pride. "Take care of it, okay? If I see even a single withered petal, I'm taking it back!"

He laughed and nodded. "Love you, Ye~"

Her heart pounded as she stepped closer, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"I love you, my Flutterking~"

Minghao's eyes widened, and he laughed gently, knocking her forehead with his own.

"Ow!" she pouted playfully. "Why didn't you eat? You're still practicing?"

"I have a solo, Ye. I want to give it my best," he said, holding her hand.

"Then let me cook for you tonight," she smirked.

He nodded happily.

Suddenly, Xuanye tilted her head. "Can you do a favor for me, Hao?"

"Of course," he said, lacing their fingers.

"Can you… dance to your part in 'Super' and 'Hot'?"

Minghao blinked, surprised. That's it?

Still, he chuckled and began.

Xuanye sat cross-legged on the floor, watching like she was at a private concert. As he waved his arm and spun gracefully, she gasped and peeked through her fingers. When he did a sharp turn and wave, she fell back laughing, kicking her feet in excitement.

As he finished his final step, Minghao walked toward her and gracefully stretched out his hand.

"May I have the pleasure of dancing with you, Ye~?" he asked softly, his voice a gentle invitation.

Xuanye's eyes widened, and her heart pounded in her chest. Slowly, she lifted her gaze to meet his. He gave her a small nod — the kind that said, I'm here for you. She smiled.

Just then, the soft, dreamy notes of Minghao's solo "Orbit" began to play.

Xuanye rose from her seat and placed her hand in his. He held her fingers delicately and pulled her gently into his chest. She blushed as their eyes met, her breath catching slightly.

Minghao took her right hand in his and placed his left hand carefully on her waist.

"Ye~ just follow me, I'll guide you in a way that makes you happy," he said, his voice a warm promise.

Flustered, Xuanye nodded. As Minghao began to move, she mirrored him, following every subtle motion. The rhythm of his body became her compass. Then, in a breathtaking moment, he lifted her by the waist — light as a swan in flight — and spun with her, twirling through the air with elegance. Xuanye was stunned, eyes wide as wonder sparkled in them.

He gently lowered her back to the ground and leaned close, whispering, "Are you ready, Ye~?"

She nodded again.

With that, Minghao extended her arm, spinning her outward — and as she turned, she looked like a blooming flower in motion. His eyes stayed on her, a soft smile dancing on his lips. The entire room seemed to melt into warmth, filled with the soft scent of sunflowers and a love that could be felt in the air.

As she spun back toward him, he caught her gently and guided her until she was facing the mirror. Then, without a word, he wrapped his arms around her from behind, and together, they continued to dance — her heartbeat synced with his, the world fading away around them.

---

Meanwhile, outside the cafeteria, Nian and DK were chatting. Nian suddenly smiled.

"Hey, I'll go call Xuanye," she said, and DK nodded.

As Nian walked toward the room and opened the door, she froze. Butterflies fluttered in her chest. Xuanye and Minghao were dancing — romantically.

She quietly closed the door again, her brain processing the moment, cheeks flushed. Then she peeked back in with a dreamy look.

The members noticed her odd expression.

Mingyu frowned. "Why is she standing like that? Did she see a ghost?"

"She went to get Xuanye," DK explained, chuckling.

Boo crept forward like a horror movie character. "What if… something happened in there?"

DK rolled his eyes while the others got curious.

They all tiptoed toward the door. DK peeked in first.

"She's saying Minghao is dancing with Xuanye," he whispered.

"What? That shy guy?" Wonwoo blinked.

The rest peeked one by one.

Scoups blushed and got goosebumps.

Boo covered Dino's eyes.

"Hyung! Let me see!" Dino complained. "This is once in a lifetime!"

"Even I shouldn't be seeing this," Boo pouted. "God, please give me a girlfriend."

Hoshi pulled out his phone.

"Maa… our group is changing. Everyone's turning into lovebirds."

His mom sighed, "Let them have fun, Hoshi."

Meanwhile, Joshua, Jeonghan, Jun, Vernon, and Woozi clutched their chests, unable to digest the unexpected romance.